iiiiTmnintinui <:;•! iHIM RHYME TIME FOR CHILDREN BOOKS BY EMILIE POULSSON FINGER PLAYS THROUGH THE FARMYARD GATE CHILD STORIES AND RHYMES THE RUNAWAY DONKEY AND OTHER RHYMES FATHER AND BABY PLAYS TOP-OF-THE-WORLD STORIES WHAT HAPPENED TO INGER JOHANNE FOUR COUSINS INGER JOHANNE’S LIVELY DOINGS RHYME TIME FOR CHILDREN Translated from the Norwegian of Dikken Zwilg- meyer. BY EMILIE POULSSON AND MAUD LINDSAY THE JOYOUS TRAVELERS THE JOYOUS GUESTS EDITED BY EMILIE POULSSON THE CHILDREN’S YEAR IN A HAPPY HOME Revision of THE CHILDREN’S Year, by Mary Howitt LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON ’Tis Nutting Time! RHYME TIME For Children 'Ey EMILIE POULSSON /! Illustrated by WM13 erger LOTHROP, LEE h SHEPARD CO. BOSTON <* .3 Copyright, 1929 BY LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO. All Rights Reserved RHYME TIME FOR CHILDREN PRINTED IN U. S. A. ©CU 16658 DEC 20 1329 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS For courteous permission to use such of these rhymes as have already appeared in print, grateful acknowledg¬ ment is hereby made as follows: To St. Nicholas , The Century Co., New York, Pub¬ lishers, for “In Candy Land,” “Molly's Dream,” “The Nineteenth Century Children,” and “The Pine Tree's Secret.'' The last two appear in this book under the titles “Modern Children” and “Tree Talk.” To S. E. Cassino, Salem, Massachusetts, for “A Yearly Wonder,” from Little Folks ' Magazine. To The Congregationalisty Boston, Massachusetts, for “Overheard at the Crocus Bed.” To D. Appleton and Company, New York, for the words of “The Bridge,” and “Drawing Pictures,'' the latter being a shortened version of “The Little Artist.” Like these verses, words and music of “The Weather- Vane,'' “The Greeting,” and “The Family,” are taken from “Songs and Music of Friedrich Froebel's cMother Play' '' {Mutter und Kose-Lieder ) prepared and translated by Susan E. Blow. For the music of “The Family,” thanks are due to Euphemia M. Parker. The music of the other songs was written expressly for this book by E. S. and J. M. Courtney, and Julia A. Hidden. Emilie Poulsson. Boston, November lsty 1929 . RHYME TIME PART I FOR CHILDREN LITTLE AND BIG INDOORS AND OUT PA0E The Lost Cookie . 13 A Child to a Baby Bird . 14 Drawing Pictures . 15 The Family {Finger Play ) . 19 Music . 20 Wanted, A Dog . 22 Little Dog Trusty . 23 Pussy and Baby . 24 Baby’s Sash . 24 A Dear Child . 26 Lady Dainty Hand . 26 The White Nest . 26 Counting the Chickens {Finger Play) . 27 Just in Time . 28 Cakes for Sale . 29 The Hungry World . 30 The Greeting {Finger Play) . 31 Music . 32 A Little Boy’s Joke . 34 The Owl . .35 Echo and the Birds . 35 The Finger Piano I, II {Finger Play) . 36 Sprinkling . 37 The Prism Lightbird . 37 Fido . 38 Music . 39 Crossing the Brook . 40 Picture . 41 A Riddle . 42 The Answer . 42 Motto: Books . .43 Motto: Home . 43 The Little Seamstress {Finger Play) . 44 Molly’s Dream . 46 On the Beach . 47 INDOORS AND OUT — Continued page “Grace Before Meat’* . 48 The Flight into Egypt . 49 The Bridge . 50 The Sailor . 51 Fishes at Play ( Finger Play) . 52 If I Could . 52 White Boat Rocking . 54 JUST FOR FUN Clever Beasts . 55 How a Doggy Says “I Love You!” . 55 In Search for Milk . 55 High Cockalorum’s Tea . 60 In Candy Land . 62-63 Rhynes for the Donkey Game . 64 Valentine Verses . 66 ALL THE YEAR ROUND A Springtime Morning . 67 Overheard at the Crocus Bed . 68 The Weather-Vane ( Finger Play ) . 68 Music . 69 The Yearly Wonder . 70 News of Spring . 72 An April Battle . ' . 73 The Rainbow . 74 A Summer Fancy . 74 Dreams . 74 Nutting Time . 75 Tree Talk in Autumn . 75 Going to Grandmother’s: A Thanksgiving Day Song ... 76 Music . 77 Winter Fun . . 78 A Song of Winter . 80 Music . 81 AT CHRISTMAS TIME Signs of Christmas . 83 Ready for Santa Claus . 84 Told Anew . 86 What Santa Claus Brought {Finger Play) . 88 Modern Children: A Song by Santa Claus . 90 Christmas in Poland . 92 The Shepherds’ Quest . 94 PART II FOR BABY’S PLEASURE PLAYTIME WITH BABY PAGE Baby’s Treasures . 99 Dearest Baby . 99 A Great Surprise . 100 Dimples and Smiles . 100 The Lightbird . 101 Listening . 102 Cock-Crow . 102 Sniff, Sniff . 102 The Finger Fence: A Peek-a-boo Play . 103 Cakes for Mother . 104 Fit for a King . 104 Baby’s Wisdom . 105 Puzzles for Baby: Animals . 106 Plays with Baby’s Toes . 108 In Baby’s Shoe . 109 Puzzles for Baby: Playthings . 110 Jimmy Jedd . Ill Come, Frisky-Leg . Ill How Big is Baby? . 112 Puzzles for Baby: In the Nursery . 112 Churning . 114 Mowing the Grass . 114 Puzzles for Baby: Fruits . 115 The Baker . 116 Dobbin and Popinjay: A Trotting Play . 116 Will You Give Me Your Baby? . 117 Music . 118 Puzzles for Baby: Flowers . 120 AT THE NURSERY TABLE Eating Porridge . 121 Baby’s Fishing . 122 A Good Little Miller . 123 PLAYS WITH BABY’S FINGERS Naming the Fingers I, II . 124 “Scat!” The Cat and Her Kittens . 125 The Five Animals . 126 Counting the Bunnies . 127 A Quieting Play . 128 LIST OF FULL PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS ’Tis Nutting Time . Frontispiece Facing page Crossing the Brook . 40 The Search for Milk . 58 Winter Fun . 78 Ready for Santa Claus . 84 Animals . 106 In the Nursery . 112 MUSIC The Family . 20 The Greeting . 32 Fido . 39 The Weather-Vane . 69 Going to Grandmother’s . 77 A Song of Winter . 81 Will You Give Me Your Baby? . 118 RHYME TIME Part I FOR CHILDREN LITTLE AND BIG INDOORS AND OUT THE LOST COOKIE ^^NCE Polly lost her cookie As she was toddling round, Her nice big sugar cookie Fell somewhere on the ground. It fell among thick grasses And there was so well hid Poor Polly could not find it But some small creatures did: A hungry little field mouse Soon spied it where it lay Then nibble, nibble, nibble, He had a feast that day! Next came some birds that questioned “Eat? Eat it? Good to eat?” But when the crumbs they tasted They twittered “Sweet! Sweet, sweet [ 13 ] When, like the nibbling field mouse The birds a feast had had, They flew away rejoicing y With chirps and twitters glad. The ants then came by hundreds, They were the last to come, Because — of Polly’s cookie They didn’t leave a crumb! A CHILD TO A BABY BIRD J^ON’T be afraid, for you know, birdie Often I’ve looked in your nest. Wasn’t it cosy and warm, birdie, Under your mother’s breast? Didn’t her feathers feel soft, birdie? Didn’t she cuddle you well? Didn’t the nest seem quite big, birdie, After your tiny shell? Didn’t you like to be rocked, birdie? I’ve seen your nest swing and swing; Weren’t those beautiful songs, birdie, Father bird, used to sing? What do you like best of all, birdie? Seeing the sunshine and sky? No! Best of all things must be, birdie, Wings! and a place to fly! DRAWING PICTURES 0?> now we’ll draw such pretty things! See! Little birds with outspread wings, And then the tree these birds love best, Because it holds their own dear nest. That was the birdies’ home, and here We’ll draw the children’s home, so dear; And leading to the very door Are all these steps — one, two, three, four. [ IS i The window now we’ll draw, where we Look out so many things to see. The window that lets daylight pass Into our homes, through its clear glass. ijiinintni|p^«F> Now, if you could but look behind The house, this rippling brook you’d find, Where swim so many silvery fish: And if to cross the brook you wish, Why, here’s the bridge, so safe and dry. Shall we go over, you and I ? Now here’s a cosy pigeon-house. Not hid in any leafy boughs. But set upon this pole so tall; Here safely live the pigeons all. And coo with voices soft and low. As flying in and out they go. [ 16 ] Down far below them on the ground. The hen and chickens walk around. And see! a rabbit next appears; Oh, bunny, you have such long ears! Here is the sun, whose spreading rays Bring many golden, happy days. And when night darkens all the blue. The twinkling stars come peeping through. And now we’ll draw the moon, whose light Makes beautiful the silent night: Sometimes a crescent, thin and clear, Sometimes a big, round, silver sphere; But whether round, or like a bow, ^ It is the same dear moon, we r\ & Zl know. ^ Now we will draw but one thing more, And that shall be the big church door. But drawing is such happy play, We’ll surely draw again some day. {Finger Play ) 'T'HIS is the loving mother, Always good and dear; This is the busy father, Brave and full of cheer; This is the merry brother, Grown so strong and tall; This is the gentle sister, This the baby small; And here they all together meet, This whole glad family complete. {From the German .) [The child points to his thumb, then to the fingers in succession as he names the separate members of the family. While saying the last two lines he holds up his hand, with thumb and fingers erect.] [ 19 ] THE FAMILY Emilie Poulsson Euphemia M. Parker - ^ - - - - 1— 1 ^ -4- ¥=*= « — J — =1 - h- m * * * * J *- J= - And here they all to- geth - er meet, This whole glad fam-i - ly complete. WANTED, A DOG D'5 T you think a doggy Must be glad to find Boy or girl to own him Who is always kind? Some one who will pat him Often through the day. Call him, “Good old doggy,” In a loving way? Any owner surely Would his food provide, Water, too, in plenty, Bones to gnaw and hide. If a dog would only Come to live with me, That's the kind of owner I should try to be. [22] LITTLE DOG TRUSTY gOW-WOW ! I’m faithful Trusty My master left me here To guard his little wagon Keep off! Don’t dare come near! Keep off! Keep off! Bow-wow! He knew I would not leave it If told to stay on guard, But waiting here is tedious Alone in this dull yard! Alone! Alone! Bow-wow! Oh, hark! I hear his whistle And that means “Come,” I know. So off I dash to meet him, My joy and love to show. Bow-wow! Bow-wow! Bow-wow! Bow-wow! Oh, welcome, Master! Your wagon’s safe. Bow-wow! And don’t you want your watch-dog To be your playmate now? Bow-wow! Bow-wow! Bow-wow! PUSSY AND BABY T>ABY dear and Puss cat mew Played as cats and babies do. Round the room they gaily raced, As the rolling ball they chased. Baby stroked the pussy’s fur, Pussy purred a song to her. Both were gentle, good, and gay But there came a sorry day. Baby squeezed the pussy cat, Pussy thought, “I can’t have that! I must prick her with the claws Hidden in my velvet paws. Yes, I’ll use my claws. Me-iow!” “Ow! That hurts!” said Baby. “Ow!” But she learned that sorry day Not to squeeze poor Puss that way. BABY’S SASH /GRANDMAMMA has brought a gift Beautiful as may be — Such a dainty silken sash! We must thank her, Baby. [24] “Thank the Merchant, too,” said she, For from him I bought it.” “Thank me not,”' the Merchant said, “ ’Twas the Weaver brought it.” “Thanks to me!” the Weaver cried, “I can scarce believe it! ?Twas the Dyer gave the silk, And I did but weave it,” To the Dyer, then, we’ll go, Many thanks bestowing: “For the sash! Why, I gave naught But its colors glowing.” “Nor to me your thanks belong,” Quickly said the Spinner; “But I think I know the one Who should be the winner. “All the silken thread so fine — - Listen now! — I found it In a Silkworm’s small cocoon, And from there unwound it!” Here, then, was the sash begun; So, though strange it may be, ’Twas the Silkworm, after all, Gave the sash to Baby. [25] A DEAR CHILD JF you but discover This child, you will love her, Her ways are so gentle and kind. She’s gay as a fairy, Of tears she is chary, And oh; She’s so ready to mind! LADY DAINTY HAND "Y^HEN Clara has washed both her little hands clean, She comes to her mother as proud as a queen. And mother says, “Oh! let me shake hands with you, My dear Lady Dainty hand, how do you do?” THE WHITE NEST ^JpHERE’S a white nest waiting For a little bird in white For a little bird that twitters As away if flies, “Good night. Good night. Good night.’’ [26] COUNTING THE CHICKENS Finger Play “MY, chickens now must go to bed,” The good hen mother clucking said. “But I will count them first to see If they have all come back to me. “One chicken, two chickens, three chickens, four, Five, six, seven chickens — still there are more. Eight chickens, nine chickens, ten chickens! ” Then, “All my chickens have come back!” said good mother hen. [The child’s ten fingers are the “Chickens.” Each is touched as counted.] [27] JUST IN TIME [In a bakery, once upon a time, a fire was burning, an oven was heating, a baker was watching, and] A CLOCK was tick-tick-ticking away ^ ^ And these were the words that it seemed to say: “Come, good people, bring your baking, Hurry with the cakes you’re making! Fire is burning bright and steady, Oven now is almost ready, Baker watches for the minute When the cakes should be put in it. If in time you do not make them, Then the baker cannot bake them.” As the clock was tick-tick-ticking away, These were the words that it seemed to say. [At home in the kitchen, once upon a time (at that very same time), a mother and her child were busy, oh! so busy, making cakes which the baker was to bake for them in his oven.] And the kitchen clock was saying: “Time was working! No delaying! If in time you do not make them If in time you do not take them, Then the baker cannot bake them.” So they were the cakes preparing, Child and Mother all work sharing, Just in time they had begun, Just in time their work was done. [28] [And when the mother and child took their cakes to the bakery, they found to their joy that the] Fire had burned so bright and steady, That the oven was just ready. Baker said ’twas just the minute That the cakes should be put in it! Then he watched the cakes and turned them Just before the heat had burned them; Waited then a little more, Opened wide the oven door — There the cakes so tempting stood, Nicely baked, and brown and good! And the clock said with its chime: “Just in time, in time, in time — - Everything was just in time; That is why the cakes could be Ready, just in time for tea!” CAKES FOR SALE TN Sugar Alley there lives a Baker, Of cakes he’s truly a famous maker. He makes them large, he makes them small, And sugar frosting he puts on all. He’ll give you good cakes if you can pay, If you’ve no money, then run away. {From the Danish.) [29 1 THE HUNGRY WORLD /^\H, who will make us good, sweet bread That all the hungry may be fed; Will you, good baker? ‘If I had flour,” the baker said, T very soon would make the bread. But flour I have not.’2 Oh, who’ll give flour to make our bread, That all the hungry may be fed? Will you, good miller? ‘If grain I had, within an hour My mill would grind it into flour, But grain I have not.’2 Oh, who’ll give grain to grind for bread That all the hungry may be fed, Will you, good farmer?’2 ‘Yes. Long ago the seed was sown, To golden grain it now has grown, I’ve grain in plenty.’2 The farmer took his grain to mill, The miller ground it with a will, The baker mixed and baked the bread, And so the hungry world was fed. ( From the French .) THE GREETING {Finger Play) see them here. These friends so dear. As they together meet; With bows polite, And faces bright, Each other they will greet: “Oh, how do you do? And how do you do? And how do you do again ? And how do you do ? And how do you do?” Say all these children ten. {From the German .) THE GREETING Emilie Poulsson Adapted from a Scotch Folk Song j fr - r-1 a. 1=1 — Is — n— h v — 1 •" 1 ■> N m m m J ! ! J m H r„ ! M •TV H ^ 4T ^ V ^ 9 I V- 7 ^ 3 - r—: w [~ 9 9 w 1 L, With bows po - lite and fac - es bright, Each 1 oth - er the j will greet. J ^ . j j ^ s / , j * . . _ * _ V i U N 1 « # ~ 0 *1 1 fc v* ! 9 m J w 9 * 1 i v 7 ^ — t? — ! - - ^ - & 9 * 171 - ■ r P cres} ■f • ^ 1 v m m m S - 1 Z» «■) r r r 9 , r i “ M 11 . ^ ^ I L L. L 1 L L ± ^ - s ^ 1 \1 - ” - 1 r r 1 u ” • 9 1 FINGER PLAY 1. Hands held upright, facing each other, fingers rep¬ resenting children. 2. Beginning with the thumbs, each bows in turn to its opposite. 3. All bow together. A LITTLE BOY’S JOKE A HUNGRY old spider, her web all complete, Was waiting one morning for something to eat. Far back in the corner, so cunning and sly, She hid herself thinking, “A bug or a fly, Or some other insect will soon pass this way, I’ll have him for dinner — I’m hungry to-day.” So there sat the spider, with sharp appetite. Far back in the corner, away out of sight. Not very long after she felt the web shake, And went in a hurry, her dinner to take. “A big fellow, surely. I’ll have a great feast, He’ll do for a dinner and breakfast at least.” The hungry old spider, so hungry and sly, Now reached the web centre — but what did she spy? No poor little insect is caught in her snare, ?Twas only a flower she found hanging there. And just at that minute a little boy spoke: — “Aha! you old spider! Fve played you a joke?” [3+] THE OWL O'!:, why does the owl with his solemn “Hoo-hoo!” Fly out in the night-time, and what does he do? The night dark and quiet for sleeping is best. So why should the owl then desert his snug nest? The Owl said, “In darkness my big eyes delight, And seeing adds joy as I fly in the night I wander and hunt all the dark hours through And rest when the blinding sun rises. “Hoo-hoo!’3 {From the German .) ECHO AND THE BIRDS VV7TIEN o’er the fields the cuckoo flies And sings “Cuckoo!” “Cuckoo!” then Echo quick replies, “Cuckoo!” “Cuckoo!” When o’er the fields the pewee flies. And sings “Pe-wee!” “Pe-wee!” then Echo quick replies “Pe-wee!” “Pe-wee!” When o’er the fields the big owl flies. And calls, “To-whoo!” “To-whoo!” then Echo quick replies “To-whoo!’’ “To-whoo!”* [Even a very little child will learn with delight to echo these or other bird calls.] [35 ] THE FINGER PIANO ( Finger play) I 0H. ! here is a tiny piano, With five little keys in a row, And as I play gently upon it The music you’ll hear soft and low. La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, la.1 II I have a piano, so cumming and small, You might think it wouldn't give music at all. But though my piano has only five keys, I often play on it such sweet tunes as these: Lightly Row, etc.2 1 Singing up and down the first five notes of the scale. 2 Or any melody using only five notes. [36] SPRINKLING N Jamie first could run alone, /i watering-can he filled, And tried to sprinkle Mother’s plants, But all the water spilled. A sight of Nursie at the door. Aroused poor Jamie’s fears, And then his little sorry face He sprinkled with his tears! But Nursie dried his tears and said, “I know what we will do, We’ll buy a little watering-can, Just big enough for you.” THE PRISM LIGHTBIRD L™ a bit of rainbow Fallen from the skies, Comes the prism lightbird, Here and there it flies. How its lovely colors glow! Chasing it we gaily go, Hither, thither, to and fro. [Whether lightbird plays are used or not, all children should have the especial delight that a prism hanging in a sunny window will give them They will often look with joy at the quiet "‘bit of rainbow” the sun sends, through the prism in the window, and this joy is not less important than the pleasure afforded by chasing the flying lightbird.] [37] FIDO /^\H, who would not love little Fido? W Fido, Fido! So pretty and wise, With gentle brown eyes, And softest and silkiest hide, oh! Dear Fido! A jolly good playmate is Fido, Fido, Fido ! To frolic and chase, To romp and to race, Or quietly walk at your side, oh! And brave as a lion is Fido Fido, Fido! He’ll faithfully guard The house and the yard, And watch beside Baby with pride, ohj Good Fido! [38] FIDO Emilie Poulsson Eleanor Smith CROSSING THE BROOK J SWIM across,” said the shiny fish, “From here to there whenever I wish.” “I leap across,” said the squirrel spry, “From branch to branch in the tree-tops high.”1 “I fly across,” rang the bird’s sweet trill — “Across broad river or narrow rill.” “I cannot leap or swim, said the child, ‘Or fly across.” But he gaily smiled — • And swiftly, merrily then he ran To hear the place where the brook began. For here it was neither deep nor wide. And stepping-stones led to the other side. And the brook seemed calling in rippling tones, “For children like you are these stepping-stones.” [40] A RIDDLE npHROUGH farthest space this man can roam While in his easy-chair at home. Man of the present, yet he still In past and future dwells at will. Alone he sits, yet in a throng Who charm him with wit, wisdom, song. THE ANSWER A READER needs no magic car, A book transports him near or far. A reader by the printed page Is carried into any age. And ’ tis the reader’s book that sends To him, his glorious guests and friends. [42] MOTTO: Books gOOKS are keys to wisdom's treasure; Books are gates to lands of pleasure; Books are paths that upward lead; Books are friends. Come, let us read. Written Jor a Children s Reading Club , Hopkinton , Massachusetts MOTTO: Home X^ORTH I went, ^ South I went, Home I came, Quite content. I went East, I went West, But to find Home is best. [43] THE LITTLE SEAMSTRESS ( Finger Play ) T^HE rain was falling steadily,1 The clouds hung thick and low. When Mother said, “ ’Tis just the day For little Nell to sew.” So Nellie gladly brought her chair Close to her mother’s side; And then a cunning thimble put On Tail-Man’s head with pride. 1 Drumming with the finger tips. [4+] Then thread she took and needle bright. But long she had to try. Before she made the thread go through The needle's tiny eye. Now in and out her needle went, 1 And left a track behind Of dainty stitches; neater ones It would be hard to find! And when her mother said, “My dear. You've sewed enough to-day," Then Nellie took her thimble off, 2 And put her chair away. Make motions through this stanza as if sewing. Pretend to take off thimble. MOLLY’S DREAM “T DREAMED/’ said little Molly, With face alight And voice awe- filled yet joyous, “I dreamed last night “That I went up to heaven; And there I found Green grass and trees and flowers All, all around!” “It must have been the Garden,’’ Her list’ner said. The child looked grave denial, And shook her head. “I know it was of heaven I dreamed last night; And when the rest I tell you You’ll see I’m right, “For all the signs, wherever We had to pass, Said, ‘Please’ (You see ’twas heaven !) ‘Keep on the grass.’ “And in the beds of flowers Along the walks, Among the pinks and pansies And lily stalks, [46] “Were signs: ‘Pick any flowers You wish to, Child.’ And all the big policemen Looked on and smiled. “That’s what I dreamed,” said Molly With face alight — “That I went up to heaven I dreamed last night.’’ [Founded on fact.] ON THE BEACH qpHE big waves tramp, tramp on the land. They smooth and pack the wet, gray sand, Then run away obligingly, And leave the beach to Bess and me. We make sand mountains, caves, and wells; Find shiny pebbles, pretty shells; And then we leave the beach, and they — The tramping waves — come back to play. “GRACE BEFORE MEAT” I JT^EAR Heav’nly Father, kind and good, We thank Thee for our daily food. Oh! may the strength it gives us be Used ev’ry day in serving Thee. II As now we gather round the board With Thy good gifts supplied, We thank Thee, God, by whose great love Our needs are satisfied. III As we gather at the table With our family and friends, Glad, we say: “Dear God, we thank Thee For the food Thy goodness sends/’ IV Dear All-Father, by whose bounty Bird and beast and man are fed, Now to Thee our thanks we offer For thy gift of daily bread. Be Thou near our food to bless While we eat in thankfulness. [48] THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT J°G- along, jog along, So, good donkey, so. Many a weary mile to-night Your little feet must go. Jog along, jog along, Choose your steps aright, Mary and the Blessed child You carry far to-night. Jog along, jog along, With your steady tread Lull the Little One to sleep, Mary’s arms, his bed. Jog along, jog along, O’er the desert sand, Till we reach a refuge safe. Far in Egypt’s land. [ 49 1 THE BRIDGE HTHE brook is flowing merrily. Its waters softly glide; A little child looks longingly Beyond its rippling tide. Across the brook are pretty ferns. And oh, such lovely moss! And flowers that seem to nod at him And beckon him across. But dark the water flows between, The stream is deep and wide; No way the little child can And To reach the other side. But soon there comes a Carpenter, Who works with busy hands, And builds a bridge that safe and strong Above the water stands. “All thanks to you, good Carpenter,’’ The child calls out in glee, “Now I can reach the other side Where I have longed to be.’’ So on the bridge the happy child Runs back and forth at will, Although, beneath so deep and wide, The brook is flowing still. [50] THE SAILOR H fair and foul weather He sails the wide sea To fetch many goodies For you and for me, Our sugar and spices And Grandmother’s tea. Poll-parrots and monkeys And gay cockatoos, Chow dogs and canaries For pets, if you choose, And beasts from the jungle He brings for our Zoos. Silk, satin, lace, velvet And jewels and rings, Rugs, paintings, and statues From far lands he brings, As o’er the blue water The ship rolls and swings. IF I COULD JF I could swim as the fishes do, In the deep, deep water, dark and blue, I would swim far down to the ocean’s floor And see what was never seen before, Except by the fishes, that only stare, And never tell of the wonders there. If I could fly as the wild birds fly, I would fly so far, I would fly so high That I should see all the wondrous things The bird tries to tell of when he sings. But birds and fishes the secrets keep Of the high blue sky and the ocean deep. From the German . FISHES AT PLAY (. Finger Play ) T N the rippling water, Clear and cool and bright, Shiny little fishes Frolic with delight.1 Swimming through the ripples. Diving down below,2 Rising now, and sinking. Oh, how fast they go! Now they chase each other,3 Now they dash away. Shiny little fish es In the water play. 1 All the fingers in rapid motion represent the little fishes swimming. 2 They dive suddenly, rise and sink slowly then swim fast again. 3 One group swims to the left (as far as the left hand can reach) the other group (on right hand) chasing; then all dash away swimming about as before. [ S3 1 WHITE BOAT ROCKING White boat rocking On the billows blue, Oh, if I could only Sail away with you! Far across the foaming sea And tossing waves we’d bound. Go to countries strange and new The whole wide world around. White boat rocking On the billows blue, Far and far and far away Let me sail with you! White cloud floating O’er the sky so blue, Whither should I journey If I sailed with you? Should I reach the shining worlds Of sun and moon and star? See the bright and secret place Where misty rainbows are? White cloud floating O’er the sky so blue, Far and far and far away Let me sail with you! [54] JUST FOR FUN CLEVER BEASTS TS,E cows are clever beasts, for, think! They take green grass and clover pink, And make white milk for us to drink! How clever! The sheep are clever, too, for they Seem every one to know the way Good wool to make from grass and hay. How clever! HOW DOGGY SAYS, “I LOVE YOU!” v piARK! Hark! Hark! How joyful the doggy’s loud bark! As he runs up the street His master to greet; “I love you,” he says by that bark! Hark! Hark! Hark! To tell all his love by his bark, Doggy thinks he might fail, So helps with his tail, For his wag means the same as his bark! [ 55 ] THE SEARCH FOR MILK 0“ Mother Mary She went to the dairy, To get some sweet milk for her cat. But none could she spy, The pans were all dry! Said Puss, “What’s the meaning of that?” They went to the pantry, But found not a drop, Said Puss, “Till we find some This search must not stop/-5 Said Mary, “I’ll find milk To-morrow I’m sure.’’ Said Puss, “To-day’s hunger I wish first to cure.” Then off to the neighbors For milk, Mary ran — Too bad! No milk had they In bottle or can. [56] Said old Mother Mary “This luck is contrary To what I have known heretofore; ’Tis surely a pity But wait here, dear kitty. I’ll get you some milk from the store. She went to the store then, No milk even there! There must be milk somewhere/’ Said Mary, “But where?” So home she went sadly. And Puss said, “Alack! That with the same story You always come back.’* “I know it,” said Mary Now sorely perplexed. “You must have milk, Pussy Where shall I go next?” A farmer who heard her Said, “Milk, Ma’am? My stars! The cows are all waiting Down there by the bars.” [ 57 ] ‘They’ve plenty to give us It’s milking time now, Poor Puss sha’n’t go hungry While I have a cow.’’ These words from the farmer Made Mary’s heart glad — And soon a big pailful Of fresh milk she had. Then home ran old Mary As fast as she could. And filled Pussy’s saucer With milk, sweet and good. And Puss lapped it up In a very short while. And purred out her thanks With a satisfied smile. The way to get milk , Or whatever you need , Is just to keep trying Until you succeed . HIGH COCKALORUM’S TEA TJURLY-BURLY, hullabaloo! Such a hubbub! What’s the to-do? High Cockalorum is giving a tea To Tweedledum and Miss Tweedledee. Guests helter-skelter are running now Higgledy-piggledy to the powwow. A roly-poly lady, A mollycoddle boy, A whippersnapper dandy, And a lanky hobbledehoy. Dash on together as gay as the rest Each in his very best thingumbobs dressed. But funny enough are some of their rigs. Their jigamarees and their thingamajigs. Now since it was High Cockalorum’s tea For Tweedledum and Miss Tweedledee Even the Nabobs from Piccadilly And Kalamazoo must come, willy-nilly. Head-over-heels they ran pell-mell — The whole kit and boodle of guests as well, But no — not all, for Shilly-Shally Loiters, hobnobbing with Dilly-Dally. Till Hurry-Scurry in haughtiest tones, Called out, “Come, Slowpoke and Lazybones.” [ 60 ] “Hoity-toity !’’ said they. “Our pacing Is better than your harum-scarum racing. For topsy, turvy, as like as not, You, Hurry-Scurry will reach the spot.-’ Now when politely the guests had come To greet Cockalorum and Tweedledum, (Though first they had greeted Miss Tweedledee) They sat chit-chatting till served with tea. “Hi-hum-haddy !” thought Cockalorum “I hope tomfoolery will not bore ’em !” Aloud he announced with an air most grand — “To entertain you with tricks, I’ve planned For I’ve a juggler whose rigmaroles Bamboozle even the wisest souls.” The juggler began with his hocus-pocus The guests tried hard their minds to focus On where this came from and where that went, And what his hodge-podge of tricks all meant. But not being numskulls or humdrum folks — They liked his tarradiddles and jokes. One guest, at the end, said “Fiddle-faddle, It’s getting so late that I must skedaddle But first I will say, and you’ll all agree, That High Cockalorum has given a tea That certainly has turned out to be A most splendiferous jamboree!’’ [ 61 ] IN CANDY LAND JN Candy Land, the little folks Wear candy buttons on their cloaks. And candy buttons on their shoes — Indeed, on everything they use.-' “ What if the candy buttons break?”- “The pieces then the children take, And very calmly down they sit And eat up every single bit. “In Candy Land, the girls and boys Play every day with candy toys; They always eat from candy plates, And do their sums on candy slates.” “Why, I should think the things would break!” “They do; and then the children take The broken pieces, great and small, And eat until they've eaten all. “In Candy Land, the girls all know With candy needles they must sew; The boys who work use candy tools, And they have candy books in schools. “In Candy Land, they think it nice To go to skate on candy ice; They rest themselves in candy chairs. And go to bed up candy stairs.-' [62] The candy-lover on my knee In wonderment still questioned me, — “ And if the candy stairs should break?”- “The children must the pieces take, And very quickly down must sit And eat up every single bit; Sometimes the children eat all day To get the broken bits away.” “ And must the children eat them all?” “Yes, every piece, both great and small. This is the law in Candy Land; And you must own ’t is wisely planned; For in that land, as you can see, So many things must broken be That bits of candy soon would strew The sidewalks, roads, and houses, too; So children must the pieces eat That Candy Land be clean and neat.” The candy-lover on my knee In blank amaze looked up at me. “Why, Candy Land’s a dreadful place!”- — Then dawned a wise look on his face — “I used to think it would be grand To go to live in Candy Land; But now I only wish to go Each day and stay an hour or so!”* [63] RHYMES FOR THE DONKEY GAME TV/TY friends, I pray you, do not fail To give me back my severed tail. Its loss I bitterly bewail. Now how could anyone suppose Fd wear my tail upon my nose? The donkey can but sadly stare Upon his tail pinned high in air. 2Tis a wonder that the donkey Does not now begin to bray When he sees the tail he longs for Being put so far away. Well! People have strange notions, it appears; You like a donkey’s tail between his ears! “Alas! Alas!” the donkey cried — “Tails are not worn upon the side!” His donkeyship is plunged in gloom His tail’s away across the room. [64] Now comes another child to try; But pins the donkey’s tail too high. The next child may succeed. Oh, no! He’s pinned the donkey’s tail too low. At last did this bold hero come, With pin ’twixt forefinger and thumb, Approaching with a cautious pace, He pinned the tail right in its place. Three cheers for you, the donkey’s friend, You’ve pinned the tail on the proper end! y [These rhymes written on cards and appropriately distributed will add to the hilarity of this old but ever popular game.] [65] VALENTINE VERSES A pril’s daughter, tears and smiles, N aughty, yet bewitching wiles, N estling with her winsome arts, A lways in my heart of hearts. M aiden thoughtful, tender, brave, A 11 sweet ways possessing, R ightly does your mother call Y ou the household blessing. B right is her beauty, E arnest her heart; R eady when duty T eaches a part. H appy in loving and giving; A h! hers is the secret of living. R oguish and romping, but clever and pretty, O ne who the fair ranks of girlhood adorns. S weet, as a rose ought to be, and just like one E ven — yes! — even to having some thorns! A sk a poet for his fancies; G et a wise man’s sense and wit; N ow, with tenderness of woman, E qual parts of hero’s grit — S o! That’s Agnes, isn’t it? [66] ALL THE YEAR ROUND A SPRINGTIME MORNING RASSES creeping. Flower-spangled ; Rocks a-sleeping, Vine entangled; Brooklet purling. Ferns uncurling, Tree-tops sighing, Breezes dying. Cloudlets shifting, Insects humming. Petals drifting, Fragrance coming; Dews a-glitter. Birds a-twitter; Shine and azure Without measure! World, so gray and olden You are new and golden; Of all bloom and bliss For your adorning, Nothing do you miss This springtime morning! [67] OVERHEARD AT THE CROCUS BED i^AID March to himself: “I’m a boisterous elf; I push and I puff and I bellow; And people I know, Are rejoiced when I go, And call me a surly old fellow, “They fume and they fret, But my pranks they forget, My storming and blowing they pardon. When bluebirds they hear And the snowdrops appear And crocuses bloom in the garden !’2 THE WEATHER-VANE (. Finger Play ) npHis way, that way,1 Turns the weather-vane; This way, that way, Turns and turns again. Turning, pointing, ever showing, How the merry wind is blowing. ( From the German.) 1 The hand is turned to and fro to represent the turning of the weather vane. [68] THE WEATHER-VANE Emilie Poulsson George L. Osgood m Moderato. ( accented ) — a ^■rTA- JV - -- ----- - S . IS | 1 is 7 yt J a| |fc 55_ i% a ^ a fc iv S P J a ~ ~H — a - IL 5 .A J H .zh H t* H J + s is ^ ^ *w - 1 - j - 1 - X; 1 t± w J • J «* • — • ^ tJ # ^ • • • This way, that way, turns the weath - er - vane ; This way, -j 7 . Zj | 1 H 1 LL A A J 1 1 ” J- ” n “1 “j "J i • H - — - — j - A- 1 T _J J * — 1 w f-' ~ • 1 I ji .. . .. . m \*>A. * w « >9 | m- 1 ~ ^ a ® a 1 *1 *1 0“i r H ^ if ' , 1 r 1 L — f r i r r that way, turns and turns a - gain : Turn - ing, point - ing THE YEARLY WONDER K a sunny corner Of the garden old, Poking careful fingers Through the leafy mould. Stooped a little maiden Bending low her head, Eyes and fingers searching All the garden bed. Would the yearly wonder Yet again come true? Would her last year’s lilies Grow and bloom anew? Withered stalks all trailing, Bushes dry and bare, Grasses brown and matted, — These were everywhere. But the little maiden, Still with hopeful heart Peered beneath the bushes, Poked the leaves apart. Would the yearly wonder Yet again come true? Would her last year’s lilies Grow and bloom anew? [70] “Yes, oh, yes! I see you!” Soon the glad child cries, As amid the dead leaves Specks of green she spies. Pale green points so tiny They can scarce be seen; Yet she reads their promise — Life, new life, they mean. Yes, the joyful wonder Ever will come true; After winter, Springtime; From old life, the new. Copyright, 1899, by S. E. Cassino. All rights reserved. DREAMS JF a tiny seed should ever dream The queer dream, that it grew To be a stately forest tree Why that dream might come true! If a caterpillar when he slept, Should dream that he could fly, That queer dream also might come true, As summer days go by. [71] NEWS OF SPRING CPRING is coming, joyous Spring! Everywhere, in everything Out of doors, above, below Happy signs begin to show Signs that make their message plain Spring will soon be here again. For the sun stays longer and longer, And it shines out brighter and brighter, And its heat is stronger and stronger, And the birds sing louder and louder. And the wind blows warmer and warmer. And the rain sinks deeper and deeper. And the brook runs faster and faster, And the ground grows softer and softer, And the sky seems bluer and bluer, And the clouds float whiter and whiter, And the air smells sweeter and sweeter, And the leaves grow bigger and bigger, And the buds swell fuller and fuller, And the grass creeps greener and greener. And the world grows gladder and gladder, — When these many signs appear, Surely Spring is drawing near, Near and nearer, till we sing, “Spring is here! O welcome Spring!” [This summary of the signs of Spring’s coming maybe read or recited or taught to children; but a better and more delightful use is possible if the children have had excursions to parks, field, and wood, and have been noticing the signs of Spring. With a little guiding, by the kinder- gartners, of the children’s expressions into the suggested form, the children will be able to “evolve” these lines, or something similar; and their enjoy¬ ment will be far greater than if they learned the lines by rote.] [ 72 ] AN APRIL BATTLE S if a million fairies Were beating fairy drums With soft and gentle tapping. The Raindrop Army comes! The frightened little Sunbeams All hid behind a cloud When first they heard the roll-call Of thunder, deep and loud; And sorry are the children Who stay indoors to-day Because the Raindrop Army Is marching on its way. But soon the West Wind whispers: ‘Til put the troops to rout,” And in a trice the Sunbeams And children, too, are out. Ho ! ho ! the Raindrop Army ! Its drums no longer sound, And hark! the West Wind’s bugle Fills all the air around. Ho! ho! the gorgeous banner The Sunbeams now display. As all the Raindrop Army, Defeated, glide away. But, oh! victorious Sunbeams, Be sure you don’t forget That April is not over — You may be conquered yet! THE RAINBOW MAGICAL, magical weather When sunshine and rain meet together! They weave of the drops and the radiance soft A glorious rainbow that arches aloft, A rainbow whose wonderful colors amaze, A shimmering rainbow that fades as we gaze. A SUMMER FANCY ^BED of yellow-petaled flowers, x I fancy as I look at them That each a butterfly may be By magic fastened to a stem. And often when in airy flight Drift by me gorgeous winged things So light, so gay, so beautiful — I think the flowers have taken wings. [74] NUTTING TIME ^JpHUMP — THUD ! Who is throwing Burrs and chestnuts to the ground? Patter, scatter! Who is tossing Acorns, walnuts all around? Come! Come! Bring your baskets. Search the ground, no need to climb, Strong old North Wind from the branches Shakes the nuts; ’tis nutting time! TREE TALK IN AUTUMN CAID the Maple to the Pine, “Don’t you want a dress like mine. Turning into gorgeous color in September?” “Well/’ replied the little Pine, “I will own it’s very fine While it lasts you; but how is it in December?”' “Pm contented to be seen In this handsome dress of green; And to change it I don’t see sufficient reason.” “But, dear Maple,” said the Pine, “Don’t you want a dress like mine, That will last and look as well in any season?”' [75] “No, I thank you, little Pine,’’ Said the Maple; “I decline, Since for autumn red and yellow Pve a passion. “Those green dresses look so strange When the oaks and beeches change. Why, I couldn’t bear to be so out of fashion!” GOING TO GRANDMOTHER’S A Thanksgiving Day Song J_£URRAH! hurrah! for here’s the sleigh, That comes to take us all away, To spend the glad Thanksgiving Day At Grandmother’s house in the country. Jump in, jump in, a merry load When all within the sleigh are stowed, We speed along the snowy road / To Grandmother’s house in the country. The sleighbells ring, we shout and cheer, How white and still the fields appear! Now surely we are drawing near To Grandmother’s house in the country. Yes, there it is — the dear old place And there is Grandpa’s beaming face! Now whoa! and out we jump and race, To Grandmother’s house in the country. [76] Emilie Poulsson Con spirito GOING TO GRANDMOTHER S THANKSGIVING SONG J. M. Courtney 3 1. Hur-rah! hur-rah! For here’s a sleigh That comes to take us 2. Jump in! jump in! A mer - ry load! When all with -in the 3. The sleigh-bells ring, We shout and cheer; How white and still the 4. Yes! there it is, — The dear old place, And there is Grand-pa’s rt-P"—*- -m — * -i 9 ,-H-ha — t— l^— : 3 - - 1 — ^ — i-hs— r^g-l?H •* i — • — • . r* — -=1 — % P-n- i 1:12: all a - way, To spend the glad Thanks-giv - ing Day At sleigh are stowed, We speed a - long the snow - y road To fields ap-pear! Now sure - ly we are draw - ing near To beam - ing face ! Now whoa ! and out we jump and race To ■fr-l ■£■■■' EE i m -=1 — • SEE* r=& WINTER FUN J.JO! ho! the jolly winter! Hurrah for ice and snow! Good-bye to indoor play things, Out, out the children go! They toss and dodge the snowballs, For that is merry sport; They make a funny snowman, Or build a big snow fort. They coast adown the hillside, They skate upon the lake. While jingle-jangle sleighbells Gay winter music make. Who cares for cold wind blowing, And frosty air that stings? Hurrah for jolly winter, And all the fun it brings! [78] H°,l ho! the jolly winter! Hurrah for ice and snow! Good-bye to indoor play things, Out, out the children go! A SONG OF WINTER \X/HHO’LL sing a song of Winter, The snowy blowy Winter? Oh we will sing who love the sight Of earth bedecked with sparkling white. We’ll sing a song of Winter, White Winter. Who’ll sing a song of Winter, The cold and stormy Winter? Oh we who laugh at cold and storm By jolly winter sports kept warm — We’ll sing a song of Winter, Cold Winter. Sing all, sing all of Winter, The joyous, welcome Winter! For Winter rings the Christmas Chimes, Brings holidays and merry times — Sing all, sing all for Winter, Gay Winter! A SONG OF WINTER £f Emilie Poulsson Oaily Julia A. Hidden 33: £ 1. Who’ll sing a song of win - ter, . The snow - y, blow - y 2. Who’ll sing a song of win - ter, . The cold and storm - y 3. Sing all, sing all of win - ter, . The joy - ous, wel - come I i :F: =l*==t= -0—*- win-ter? O we will sing who love the sight Of earth bedecked with win -ter? O we will laugh at cold and storm, By jol - ly win -ter win - ter ; For win - ter rings the Christmas chimes, Brings hol-i - days and spark-ling white, We’ll sing a song of win - ter, white win - ter. sports kept warm, We’ll sing a song of win - ter, cold win - ter. mer - ry times, Sing all, sing all of win - ter, gay win - ter. AT CHRISTMAS TIME SIGNS OF CHRISTMAS PROST and snow. Fires aglow, Jingling bells, Spicy smells, Fir-trees seen, Garlands green, Holly bright, Festive sight — Hurrying throngs. Merry songs. Echoing chimes, Busy times, Secrets sweet, (Don't repeat!) Stockings hung, Carols sung, Starry skies, Lovelit eyes. Time most dear Of the year, Christmas time at last is here! [83] READY FOR SANTA CLAUS JCVerything’s ready. I’ve hung up my stocking, — There it hangs, empty and out in plain sight. Mother has cuddled me, singing and rocking, Told me a story and kissed me good-night. Oh, but the story she told me was shocking! Santa Claus didn’t go anywhere near Jimmy’s — nor put the least thing in his stocking ’Cause Jimmy stayed awake watching. O dear! Everything’s ready, for there hangs my stocking; — Only I know that I never can sleep! Wide-awake thoughts will come, flocking and flocking. Sandman, why do you away from me keep? Hark! . . . No, that’s only the old clock tick-tocking; Reindeer would never make that kind of noise Oh! I can't sleep! . . . There’s a chair by my stocking Just in case Santa should bring some big toys. There! . . . Oh, that’s Father, the doors he is locking; That won’t keep Santa Claus out though, I know. Down through the chimney he’ll come to my stocking, Softly and softly, the way fairies go. Softly and softly, (it’s ready, my stocking), Softly and softly he’ll creep and he’ll creep — • ••••••• What’s all that running and calling and knocking? Oh-h-h! See my stocking! I did go to sleep! [84] TOLD ANEW L. the middle of the night When the world is dark and still. When the stars are shining bright. Over snowy vale and hill, When the children are asleep As they should be everywhere. Then, — if no one wakes to peep, Santa Claus drives through the air. Santa Claus; yes, that’s his name, And he has a wondrous sleigh Drawn, no, not by horses tame, But by reindeer fleet and gay. Faster than the wind they go, Prancing on their dainty hoofs — Through the air, now high, now low On the houses’ very roofs! And the sleigh is filled, yes, piled. With all kinds of toys and things; Everything to please a child In that sleigh good Santa brings. Dolls, tops, horses, trains with tracks, Skates, tools, sleds, and wagons gay. Tea-sets, books, and jumping-jacks. These and more are in his sleigh. [86] As for Santa Claus himself Every one knows how he looks; For the jolly little elf Pictured is in many books. Such a roly-poly man! Dressed in red from head to foot. Long white beard all spick and span, With no sign of chimney soot. When the reindeer, sleigh and all, Come among the chimney-tops Of the houses, large and small, At each chimney Santa stops. Out he jumps and down he goes, Down the chimney at a bound. Just which toys to leave, he knows And each stocking soon has found. How he crams the presents in! Chuckling to himself the while. You should see his jolly grin! All his face is one big smile. Stockings filled, he speeds away But— -as sure as he was here With his reindeer and his sleigh — - Santa Claus will come next year. [87] WHAT SANTA CLAUS BROUGHT {A Christmas Finger Play) COME eager little children, One Christmas morning bright, Sprang up to see what Santa Claus Had brought them in the night. They all had pretty presents, And if you wish to know What Santa brought them in his pack, Just watch, and we will show. Virginia found a table, As cunning as could be, And chair to match it, where her doll Could sit when they played tea. [88] Then Henry found his present, A hobby-horse so gay; Its ears stood out as if to hear What Henry had to say. What Santa brought for Bertha, Most joyfully she took; A pretty fan with feathered top, And charming story book. And each child had an orange, (A big, smooth, golden ball); A basket full of candy, too! And this, at last, was all. [89] MODERN CHILDREN A Song by Santa Claus Reporter s Note No. 1 I can t tell where I heard it; But yet I can't be wrong . I must have heard old Santa Claus Sing something like this song . Or how could I have told you> Or ever have found out That Santa Claus could sing at all , Or what he sang about? XHE children of the present Are wondrous wise, ’tis said; No superstitious thoughts are found In any little head; They don’t believe in fairies — They don’t believe in gnomes. Enchanted castles they “pooh-pooh !” And likewise haunted homes. “But bless their hearts!” laughed Santa, Right merrily laughed he. “They cannot bear to give me up; They still believe in me — Oh, yes! Some still believe in me.” [90] They don’t believe in witches, They don’t believe in ghosts; They don’t believe in woodland nymphs, Nor in the goblin hosts. They don’t believe in giants, In magic cloak or hat; They only smile at “bogie men’’ I’m very glad of that. “But bless their hearts!” laughed Santa, Right merrily laughed he. “They cannot bear to give me up; They still believe in me — Oh, yes! Some still believe in me.” They don’t believe in Crusoe! Nor yet in William Tell! And some have even thrown aside The cherry-tree as well! But every year at Christmas Their faith in me revives. “Oh, good old Santa Claus,” they say, “We’ve loved you all our lives!” [91] '‘Yes, bless their hearts!” laughed Santa, Right merrily laughed he. “They cannot bear to give me up; They still believe in me — Oh, yes! Some still believe in me.” Reporter s Note No, 2 This song shows how he values You faithful little folks , Who still believe in Santa Claus In spite of many jokes. So hang your stockings , youngsters , And write notes trustful-ly; And don t YOU pain the dear old chap By in-cred-u-li-ty , CHRISTMAS IN POLAND F the far-off land of Poland, Many little children dwell, Who know all the Christmas stories That we know and love so well. They know how the shining angel Sent the Shepherds on their way, Seeking till they found the Christ child In a manger filled with hay. And in memory of that baby Lying in his hay-filled bed, On the festive Christmas table, Hay beneath the cloth is spread. But before the Christmas feasting All the household, young and old, Watch the sky till there appearing They the first bright star behold. Then they eat the tiny wafers1 Sacred to this holy night. Rich and poor, and high and lowly, Follow this dear ancient rite. And if you were child of Poland, But were far from home, some friend With good wishes, love, and blessing Would to you the wafers send. Such the ancient Christmas customs, That are kept in Poland still; There, too, are the people singing Christmas songs of peace, gpod will. i Oplakti. [93] THE SHEPHERDS’ QUEST “CHEPHERDS, why Do your flocks untended lie? Hear ye not the lambkins’ bleat, As ye haste with flying feet? Hides no foe among the rocks. That may harm your helpless flocks? Shepherds, stay. Guard your flocks till dawns the day.’2 “Nay, we go, Swiftest feet seem all too slow. Stay us not — ” a shepherd said, Backward calling as he fled, “Safe, unharmed, our flocks shall rest. For we go at God’s behest, Nor delay; Word of God we must obey.” Onward then Sped these simple eager men — Hasting that dear babe to find, Who should love and bless mankind, Now a tender babe, new-born, Wrapped in swaddling clothes forlorn. Such the word From the angel of the Lord. [94] And behold! Soon they found him, as foretold In a Bethlehem stable, where Shelter he with kine must share, Humble bed for him was made Of soft hay in manger laid. And amazed — Filled with joy, the shepherds gazed. Swiftly then Homeward went these simple men, Glorifying, praising God, Told the wondrous news abroad, That the Christ child now was born, Making Earth’s first Christmas morn Morn whose light Through the ages still is bright. THE LIGHT OF CHRISTMAS I Oh! bright are the stars as they gleam on high, And shed their soft rays from the summer sky, But Christmas stars sparkle with lustre rare, When carol and chime fill the frosty air. For shining afar To our hearts they say, “Remember the Star Of the Christ’s birthday. Love is the light of Christmas.” II Oh! gay are the tapers that shine to-night On gift-laden Christmas trees all alight! But never a radiant tree would stand, If love had not for the glad time planned. So each tiny flame, With its golden ray, Helps the stars proclaim, On the Christ’s birthday. Love is the light of Christmas. [96] RHYME TIME PART II FOR BABY’S PLEASURE PLAYTIME WITH BABY BABY’S TREASURES TV/TY baby’s treasures I will sing, And tell the pleasures that they bring. With these two eyes, The world he spies; With these two ears, Sweet music hears; With this wee nose, He smells a rose; With this red mouth his dinner he’ll eat, And give his mother some kisses sweet. DEAREST BABY TTOREHEAD, eyes, nose, mouth! Dearest baby north or south. 1 In all these four plays on the face, touch the features as named with light, playful touches. [99] > 4 9 > A GREAT SURPRISE P AT his head and smooth his hair, Stroke his forehead, — softly there 1 Kiss his cheeks, look into his eyes, And pull his nose for a great surprise I DIMPLES AND SMILES1 A CROSS the plain ^ And back again; Then round and round A couple of miles Until we come To dimples and smiles, Dimples and smiles, Dimples and smiles. 1 In this play, stroke the baby’s forehead across and back with the fore part of the hand, and move this also round and round the baby’s face. Then with one finger, touch each cheek in turn several times near the corners of the baby’s mouth, — the familiar way of inducing a little baby to smile. [ 100] THE LIGHTBIRD1 T)RETTY lightbird, darting, dancing! Pretty lightbird, gleaming, glancing ! Stay with Baby, lightbird, stay; Why so quickly fly away? 1 A bit of looking-glass or a cup of water moved about in the sunlight will make the “lightbird/* whose motion and brightness the baby’s eyes will follow with delight. [ ioi ] LISTENING T T ARK, little ears, Hear the bell ring! Tinkle, tinkle, tinkle,1 Ding-a-dong, ding ! 2 1 In a very high tone. 2 In a very low tone. COCK-CROW /^OCK-a-doo-dle-do-oo ! The farmyard cock am I, At dawn I loudly cry, “Cock-a-doo-dle-doo-oo-oo ! Here’s a new day for you-oo-oo! SNIFF, SNIFF ONIFF, sniff! ^ Take a good whiff. Little sniffing nose will tell [ flowers 1 Baby how the j apples f smell. t cookies [ 102] THE FINGER FENCE A Peek-a-Boo Play TJUILD up the fence, Lay the rails flat.1 Mother on this side, Baby on that; Now it is done We can peep through Peek-a-boo, Baby, Peek! Peek-a-boo! IThe mother’s fingers are the “rails,” the tips crossed one above the other. Through and over this “fence” she peeps at the baby. [ 103 ] CAKES FOR MOTHER ■pAT-A-CAKE, pat-a-cake! this is the way A Baby makes cakes for his mother all day. Pat-a-cake pat-a-cake! Isn’t it fun? Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake! Now the cake’s done. FIT FOR A KING T)AT-A-CAKE, pat-a-cake, So you begin it; Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, Put a hole in it.1 Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, Round as a ring,2 Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, Fit for a king! 1 Forefinger of right hand presses into the center of palm of left hand. 2 Trace around this palm with the forefinger. [ 104] BABY’S WISDOM T3ABY is growing so wise, so wise, Baby can point to his two bright eyes. Baby can point to his own two ears. Such a wise baby should have three cheers! Baby can point to his head and show H ow he can shake it to say “No, no!” Anything more can the baby do? Yes, he can shake a “Bye-bye!” to you. [After frequent and playful guidance in making the motions here indi¬ cated the baby will make them himself with very evident joy.] [ i°5 1 PUZZLES FOR BABY I ANIMALS O H, here is the Moo-moo Cow, And Doggy that barks, “Bow-wow. And here is the little fat Pussy cat That says, “Me-ow! Me-owl And here’s Cock-a-doodle-do, The hen and the chickens, too, And high up there in the pigeon house The pigeons that call, “Coo-roo!” [At first when showing pictures to Baby, we point to and name the creatures or objects pictured. Soon he will respond to “Where is the Moo-moo Cow?” and later will gleefully answer with the name when asked “What is this?”l [ 106] PLAYS WITH BABY’S TOES I r ITEENY, weeny, tiny toe, This and that and t’other toe, 'And grumpety, grumpety great toe.1 1 Use a gruff deep tone for this line. II Whimsey, Jimsey, Jeremy Tot, Molly Maloo, and Timothy Tot. III A shake 2 and a pull and a pinch and a bend, And a wiggle-waggle, wiggle-waggle; that’s the end.2 2 Give the big toe a slight shake, the rest a pull, etc. IV 3 Field mouse family In a field of clover: Trip, Skip, Nimble-foot Runabout and Rover.3 * Move your hand across the baby’s toes, then take hold of each toe and shake it as you name the “mice.” [ 108 ] IN BABY’S SHOE TIHLLIE WEE-WEE, Frisky Fred ^ Jolly John, and Nimble Ned, Plump old Peter Pitpat, too, Go to bed in Baby’s shoe. Peter Pit-pat, Nimble Ned, Jolly John, and Frisky Fred, Little Willie Wee-Wee, too, Out they come from Baby’s shoe. Out to play they come at night! Go to bed at morning light! That’s the funny way they do, Baby’s toes in Baby’s shoe. 1 109] PUZZLES FOR BABY II PLAYTHINGS r I "'HE Ball and the Dolly, ■“■The Cart, the Balloon, Fine playthings for Baby, He’ll know them all soon. [ no] JIMMY JEDD « JIMMY JEDD stroked his head, Robby Rack thumped his back, Harry Hest rubbed his chest, Peter Pratt laid him flat, And Dicky Dover rolled him over. Over and over, And over and over! COME, FRISKY-LEG /DOME Frisky-leg and Kick-about, You lively fellows, strong and stout, Pull in, push out; pull in, push out. My baby soon on you will stand, And go a-walking through the land. Won’t that be grand? Won’t that be grand? So Frisky-leg and Kick-about, You lively fellows, strong and stout, Pull in, push out; pull in, push out. [If the baby has Mother’s hand or other slight obstacle to kick against, he will put more force into this action and get more fun out of it.] [ hi ] HOW BIG IS BABY? OO big! So big!1 ^ Baby lifts his arms to show, O my baby, how you grow! So big! So big! So big is baby! So big! So big!2 Reaching up his rosy hands, Tall and straight, my baby stands, So big! So big! So big is baby! 1 For the little baby sitting on Mother’s lap. She lifts his arms at first but he soon responds with the action himself when Mother asks, “How big is Baby?” 2 For the baby who can balance himself, standing. PUZZLES FOR BABY III IN THE NURSERY '^TOW the Baby will look and look ■*" ^ To find the crib in the picture book. 1 112 ] CHURNING /^HURN, churn, churn the cream, Just hear it splash and splutter — Churn, churn, churn the cream, To make the golden butter. [Up and down motion of the baby’s arms as if churning with an old- fashioned churn.] MOWING THE GRASS A /TOW the grass and mow the grass, My sturdy farmer, now; Mow the grass and mow the grass. To feed the bossy cow. Rake the hay and rake the hay, And toss it in the mow. Rake the hay and rake the hay, To feed the bossy cow. Milk the cow and milk the cow, And pat her coat of silk. Thank the cow and thank the cow, For giving us good milk. [The mother, holding the baby’s hands, swings his arms from side to side for mowing, out and in for raking. For milking, she moves his hands one up and one down quickly and alternately.] 1 114] PUZZLES FOR BABY IV FRUITS /'"'VH, where’s the apple1, the big round apple? Where is it? Does Baby know? Oh, yes! He points with his chubby finger, The big round apple to show. 1 The long banana, the juicy orange, or any of the fruits pictured here. [ns! THE BAKER 'T'HE flour he takes, The sieve he shakes, The dough he makes, Then into the oven He puts it, and bakes Our rolls and bread, Pies, cookies, and cakes. DOBBIN AND POPINJAY A Trotting Play /~\LD Dobbin is a slow old horse; He walks and walks and walks; But Popinjay is a pony gay That trots and trots and trots away, Till all of a sudden he balks. He stands stock still for a minute, and then, He trots and trots and trots again. [ ”6] WILL YOU GIVE ME YOUR BABY? T SEE a mother holding Her baby on her knee. “Please, Madam Mother, will you give Your little child to me?” “Oh no, no, no, no, no! I love my baby so, I could not give my child away; Oh no, no, no, no, no!” I see a mother holding Her baby on her knee. “Please, Madam Mother, will you sell Your little child to me?” “Oh no, no, no, no, no! I love my baby so, I could not, would not sell my child. Oh no, no, no, no, no! 1 “71 WILL YOU GIVE ME YOUR BABY Emilie Poulsson Julia A. Hidden t. 0 r m - by on her 1. I see a moth - er hold - ing - ing - Her ba 2. I see a moth - er hold Her ba - by on her 3. I see a moth - er hold Her ba - by on her — -A-gp - *-i — ' — In — - 0 h - _ 0 i -0— - — - ~0 - w \ _ ~0 -i-M- 0 . m • ~0 - 0 — % — 0 — % — * w r w g fi: ft L L m mr- • * » knee. . Please, mad -am moth -er, Will you give your lit - tie child knee. . Please, mad -am moth- er, Will you sell your lit - tie child knee. . Please, mad -am moth-er, Will you lend your lit - tie child A-J — J* _ _ — i — ^ to to to £ -w — J P me ? me ? me ? Oh ! no, no, no, no, no, Oh ! no, no, no, no, no, Oh! yes, I’ll let him go I love my ba - by so, I I love my ba - by so, I A lit - tie while, you know, But -1=1 — v. £§.... . . . — vzq - jv - js - is - — n : ± * > > S \. , w 0 ~ ^ J — 0 — m — W — V - J — 0 — ^ — could not give my child a - way, Oh ! no, no, no, no, no. could not, would not, sell my child, Oh ! no, no, no, no, no. you must sure-ly bring him back, I love my ba - by so ! . I see a mother holding Her baby on her knee. “Please, Madam Mother, will you lend Your little child to me?” “Oh yes! I’ll let him go A little while, you know; But you must surely bring him back, I love my baby so!” [ ir9 1 PUZZLES FOR BABY V FLOWERS ‘U'LOWERS and flowers of many a kind, Let’s see if Baby the daisy1 can find. 1 Or any of the flowers pictured here. [ 120] AT THE NURSERY TABLE EATING PORRIDGE Red mouth, red mouth, open wide. Pop! the spoonful goes inside. A SPOONFUL for father Is easy to take; A spoonful to match it, For dear Mother’s sake. A spoonful for Brother, Will Baby now wish; A spoonful for Sister Comes next from the dish. Now this big, big spoonful, The doggy’s we’ll call; This small one is Pussy’s, Because she is small. Why, Baby! That’s all! [Repeat first two stanzas till the porridge is so nearly gone that the spoonfuls for Doggy and Pussy will finish it.] [ 121 ] BABY’S FISHING TN Milky Lake my baby goes "*■ A-fishing every night; What you call bits of bread, he knows Are fishes, plump and white. My baby fishes with a spoon, (The Lake is in a dish.) And you should see how very soon He catches every fish! And when he finds there are no more To catch, and he must stop; He lifts the Lake up by its shore, And drinks it every drop! [ '«] A GOOD LITTLE MILLER /^VPEN, open, Red Gate, Miller, start your mill; Here’s a load of grain to grind, Coming up the hill. Very fine, good miller, Please to grind the grain, Can you take another load? Here’s the cart again! Sure a better miller I have never found! Here’s another load of grain Coming to be ground. [Red Gate: Lips.] [Load of grain: Spoon or fork, with food.] [Repeat last two lines till food is all eaten.] 1 123 ] PLAYS WITH BABY’S FINGERS NAMING THE FINGERS I HUMBKIN, Pointer, Middleman tall, Feeble-man, Little-man, — That is all. II Thumbkin thick and Pointer nimble, Tail-man waiting for a thimble, Ring-man slow and Wee-man sprightly, Stand up straight, then bow politely. [ 124] “SCAT !” The Cat and Her Kittens “TTGTTY, kitty, kitty, kitty, All my little ones so pretty, You, and you, and you, and you, Let me hear how you can mew.” “Mew! Mew! Mew! Mew!” “Kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty, All my little ones so pretty, Curl up close now, just like that. Go to sleep,” says Mother Cat. “Sleep till some one calls out, ‘Scat!’ ” [The four fingers are the kittens, the thumb, the mother cat. Touch each finger in turn with the thumb of same hand, through first, third and fifth lines of first stanza, and first line of second stanza. At third line curl each finger down to palm and lay thumb over them. At “Scat,” thumb and fingers start up quickly, and run away.] 1 125 ] THE FIVE ANIMALS npHE Pig,1 And the Cow, And the Horse, And the Sheep, And the little white Lambkin Are f-a-s-t a-s-l-e-e-p. The Lamb,2 And the Sheep, And the Horse, And the Cow, And the little fat Pig Are all wide awake now! 1 As the animals are named, the thumb and fingers rest on their tips and keep perfectly still. 2 The “animals” wake when named and all move about in lively fashion. COUNTING THE BUNNIES “TV /TY bunnies now must go to bed,” The little rabbit mother said; “But I will count them first to see If they have all come back to me. !One bunny, two bunnies, three bunnies, dear, Four bunnies, five bunnies, yes, all are here! They are the prettiest things alive, — - My bunnies, one, two, three, four, five.” 1 Touch the fingers in turn as you count. 1 127] A QUIETING PLAY T IKE children who have been at play ^ All day in merry riot. Perhaps these little fingers now Are ready to be quiet. So we will let them rest awhile, As we together fold them, And play that they have gone to sleep, While still as still we hold them. Lullaby, lullaby, Little fingers quiet lie, Lullaby, lullaby, Lulla-lullaby. [A restless baby can often be soothed by this sort of play. Stroke the child’s hands and fold one over the other, covering them with one of your own. Any kind of crooning or humming will serve for a lullaby.] [128]